With the constant turmoil of openings, closings, too-damn-high rents, and the fickle whims of diners, the NYC food and drink scene morphs at an incredible rate, and in many ways it’s never been better. But where can a ravenous monster like yourself turn to find those places that have truly changed the game -- AND will never go out of style? Nowhere, that’s where.
Wait... Thrillist! That’s where! On March 30th, we’re going to induct our very first class of 11 New York winners into the Thrillist Food & Drink Hall of Fame, an eternal monument to what dining and imbibing greatness means in this nation, a place many people also refer to as "great."
Choosing 60 nominees out of thousands of contenders wasn’t easy. Some rules that helped us along the way: every establishment must be 1) open for more than five years, 2) open at some point during the calendar year of 2015, 3) damn great, and 4) representative of what people of all kinds love about eating and drinking in NYC -- we didn’t think the honors should only go to the fanciest places, so you’ll see dive bars and places for cheap burgers as well.
To help us pick the winners we're tapping voters all across the industry, from restaurant owners, to bartenders, to writers, including people like Justin Warner, Sam Mason, Mimi Sheraton, Andy Ricker, Dan Kluger, Editor in Chief of Vice Munchies Helen Hollyman, Kat Kinsman and Karen Palmer from Tasting Table, Max Falkowitz from Serious Eats, and too many more phenomenal people to mention right here. Check out the nominees below, and wait with semi-bated breath for the winners to be announced at our Inauguration Banquet on March 30th. It’s on.
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Andrew Zimmer is Thrillist's NYC Editor and he thinks Pete Rose should open a really great restaurant and try his luck with THIS Hall of Fame. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
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1. 2nd Ave Deli
162 E 33rd St, New York -
2. Babbo
110 Waverly Place, New York -
3. Balthazar
80 Spring St, New York -
4. Barcade
388 Union Ave, Brooklyn -
5. Bemelmans Bar
35 E 76th St, New York -
6. The Blind Tiger
281 Bleecker St, New York -
7. Blue Ribbon
97 Sullivan Street, New York -
8. Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden
29-19 24th Ave, Astoria -
9. Bouley
163 Duane St, New York -
10. Corner Bistro
331 West 4th Street, New York -
11. Daniel
60 E 65th St, New York -
12. Death & Company
433 E 6th St, New York -
13. Del Posto
85 10th Ave, New York -
14. Delmonico's Bar & Grill
56 Beaver St, New York -
15. Di Fara Pizza
1424 Avenue J, Brooklyn -
16. Diner
85 Broadway, Brooklyn -
17. Eleven Madison Park
11 Madison Ave, New York -
18. Esca
402 W 43rd St, New York -
19. Fette Sau
354 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn -
20. Frying Pan
205 12th Ave, New York -
21. Gotham Bar and Grill
12 E 12th St, New York -
22. Gramercy Tavern
42 E 20th St, New York -
23. Grand Central Oyster Bar
89 E 42nd St, New York -
24. Il Mulino New York
86 W 3rd St, New York -
25. Jean-Georges
1 Central Park W, New York -
26. J.G. Melon
1291 3rd Ave, New York -
27. Joe's Pizza
7 Carmine St, New York -
28. Katz's Delicatessen
205 E Houston St, New York -
29. Keens Steakhouse
72 W 36th St, New York -
30. L&B Spumoni Gardens
2725 86th St, Brooklyn -
31. La Esquina/Corner Deli
114 Kenmare St, New York -
32. Le Bernardin
155 W 51st St, New York -
33. Lombardi's Pizza
32 Spring St, New York -
34. McSorley's Old Ale House
15 E 7th St, New York -
35. Minetta Tavern
113 Macdougal St, New York -
36. The Modern
9 W 53rd St, New York -
37. Momofuku Noodle Bar
171 1st Ave, New York -
38. Morimoto
88 10th Ave, New York -
39. Nobu
105 Hudson St, New York -
40. Nom Wah Tea Parlor
13 Doyers St, New York -
41. Old Town Bar
45 E 18th St., New York -
42. P.J. Clarke's
915 3rd Ave, New York -
43. Pearl Oyster Bar
18 Cornelia St, New York -
44. Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York -
45. Peter Luger
178 Broadway, Brooklyn -
46. Prune
54 E 1st St, New York -
47. Raoul's
180 Prince Street, New York -
48. Rattle N Hum
14 E 33rd St, New York -
49. The River Café
1 Water St, Brooklyn -
50. Roberta's Pizza
261 Moore St, Brooklyn -
51. Russ & Daughters
179 E Houston St, New York -
52. Shake Shack
11 Madison Ave, New York -
53. The Spotted Pig
314 W 11th St, New York -
54. Spring Lounge
48 Spring St, New York -
55. Sunny's Bar
253 Conover St, Brooklyn -
56. Sushi of Gari
402 E 78th St, New York -
57. Sylvia's Restaurant
328 Malcolm X Blvd, New York -
58. Union Square Cafe
101 East 19th St, New York -
59. Vazacs Horseshoe Bar / 7B
108 Avenue B, New York
There are a few Jewish delis you need to know about if you live in New York. There's Katz's, that tourist-clogged Lower East Side bastion of pastrami, and there's 2nd Ave Deli, whose two locations (one is in Murray Hill, the other is on the Upper East Side) are newer replicas of the original East Village one. 2nd Ave Deli is more low-key than Katz's in the sense that there's no rigid ticket system, but the food fits into the same category of Jewish deli fare. If you like pickles and coleslaw, then you'll be happy to know that they're free here, which is the first sign that you're in for an authentic deli experience. The menu is extensive and filled with typical diner items like knishes, triple decker sandwiches, and burgers, but keep it simple and order the Jewish Penicillin (matzoh ball soup) and the Twin Double (a duo of hot pastrami and corned beef sandwiches).
Mario Batali’s flagship restaurant is a charming former carriage house in the West Village serving high-end Italian fare with an elevated, chef-inspired twist on classic dishes. The pasta here is certainly worth the hype, like the pillowy potato gnocchi, cuddled in shreds of tender oxtail that’s been sautéed in a robust red wine and tomato-based ragu.
Keith McNally’s bustling Balthazar embodies the image of a French brasserie ripped from a francophile fantasy, drawing brunching celebrities, steak frites fanatics, and throngs of tourists willing to pay top dollar for poached eggs. The people-watching is a chief lure -- and how could it not be when so many people are packed into the high-ceilinged space? The menu features the kind of dishes you'd find at Brasserie Lipp or Les Deux Magots, and though the twice-fried, sea salt-dusted fries are a must-order, the onion soup gratinée and duck confit are not to be missed. If you aren't looking to wine and dine at one of the red leather banquettes, stop by the adjacent bakery for baguettes, brioche buns, and pastries to-go.
This arcade-themed bar (the first outpost of four) offers a vintage lineup ranging from Donkey Kong to Asteroids to be played while sipping craft beers from countless taps. While there's no kitchen, there is a binder full of local restaurant menus, so you can get food delivered if you work up an appetite.
If it weren’t for all the alcohol, you could mistake Bemelmans for the world’s most lavish nursery. That’s because the walls and lampshades are covered with whimsical illustrations from Ludwig Bemelmans, the man behind Madeline. But don’t come here with your kids on a Sunday afternoon; instead, come on Friday, and grab a table on the floor or, if you can, a spot in one of the rich chocolate-brown banquets around the perimeter of the room and listen to live jazz and piano in the evenings. There’s a cover charge past 9pm on Sunday and Monday and 9:30pm Tuesday-Saturday, so be sure to get there early for a first-come-first-serve spot. The menu is all class, from fine wines to cocktails like the pisco sour and top-notch martinis. While you sip, tilt your head back to catch a glimpse of the 24-karat gold leaf-covered ceiling.
Arguably the epitome of a New York City craft beer bar and a true pioneer in the NYC craft scene, Blind Tiger’s been doling out a fine selection of the top tier libations since it opened in 1995. It’s the go-to spot to meet folks from your favorite breweries who happen to be swinging through town, and the tap takeovers are legendary to say the least. Sip from 28 taps, two casks and a staggering list of microbrew bottles.
Blue Ribbon's a stellar late-night joint, cozying up great 'tails with great (and interesting) company.
One can never really go wrong at a beer garden, especially not at Bohemian, where $16 draft beer pitchers are reason enough to show. And, should you be in the mood to learn Czech or Slovak, why not register for their language classes? here. Not into languages? Kick off the World Cup in European Beer garden-style and pretend you know what people mean when they say "footie".
High-profile Chef David Bouley continuously impresses with old-school class and an innovative menu at this French outpost. Diners can expect to be served picturesque dishes like Malibu sea urchin in spiky shells and fallow venison. The price points may be in the once-a-year splurge range, but for the sophisticated and unabashedly upscale standards to which the restaurant aspires, consider the royal treatment here a steal.
From the outside, Corner Bistro seems like an unassuming dive, but step inside this iconic NYC establishment, which touts itself as one of "the last of the bohemian bars" in West Village, and you'll find plenty of local charm. A timeless NYC tavern and dive, Corner Bistro is renowned for its burgers; piled high with juicy beef, crispy bacon and melted American cheese, they're tasty, satisfying, and affordable.
Daniel is lauded Chef Daniel Boulud's renowned restaurant on the Upper East Side, serving seasonal French cuisine with a side of elegant ambiance. Expect to pair world-class wines with a number of unique dishes, or grab a cocktail and late-night dessert at the swank bar/lounge. A popular location for weddings and rehearsal dinners, Daniel is a great place to bring a date when you have a little extra cash to spend.
Death & Co. is a high-end, dimly lit sanctuary for both the casual AND professional mixologist/cocktail enthusiast. Responsible for launching the careers of many of New York's most prominent bartenders, this speakeasy has produced a 500-recipe cocktail book and enough top-notch drinks to keep both locals and newcomers ready for the wait, and insatiably eager for another visit. Martinis are served in 5oz glasses with the remainder in an iced carafe, and Old Fashioneds are reinvented with reposado tequila, mezcal, and a flaming orange. While the decor is certainly reminiscent of Prohibition-era times, the drinks remain cutting-edge.
Brought to you by Mario Batali et al., Del Posto is arguably one of the best upscale Italian restaurants in New York. On a Chelsea block near the High Line, the large, loft-like space has an elegant interior with lots of black, red, and gold decor, as well as a candle-lit marble staircase in the center of the dining room. In true Batali fashion, the menu is rich but classic in nature, featuring delicious house-made pastas (gnocchi with caviar, oxtail ravioli) and beautiful cuts of meat (seared lamb chop, braised veal).
This Financial District steakhouse is straight-up historic. Open in one form or another since 1837, Delmonico's was the first fine-dining restaurant to open in New York -- and reputably the first restaurant to serve dishes like eggs Benedict, baked Alaska, and lobster Newburg. Today, you'll still have a plush experience filled with old-school grandeur, thanks to white tablecloths, an attentive staff, and massive murals that depict turn-of-the-century New York. The signature Delmonico steak is excellent, as is the filet mignon and 40-day dry-aged bone-in ribeye.
You'll have to brave a long line, but it's more than worth it for Dom DeMarco's handmade pies, lauded by many as the best in New York, and featuring a sauce made with simple San Marzanos; a sprinkling DeMarco's blend of Grana Padano, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses; and a careful snipping of fresh basil across the top.
Marlow & Sons brother resto sits right next door and's serving fresh American eats.
There is no shortage of fine dining in New York City, but you'll be hard pressed to find any place better than Eleven Madison Park to splurge on a fancy meal. The sophisticated 7-9 course seasonal tasting menu features all local ingredients, with creative plays on modern American cuisine. As if the meal wasn't impressive enough on it's own, EMP also offers an unbeatable view of Madison Square Park.
Another in the Batali/Bastianich empire, this seafood-centric beauty (with a great outdoor garden in the summer) delivers with fantastic wines, interesting aperitivo, some amazingly fresh and varied crudo, pasta like the briny, creamy Maccheroni alla chittarra with sea urchin and crabmeat, and main attractions like the salt baked cod cracked out of its salty tomb tableside.
"Fat Pig" is the German translation of this barbecue spot's name, and that's exactly what you'll feel like (in the best possible way) after a meal here. Fette's dry-rubbed BBQ and special smoke blend makes their meat both unique and delicious. The pork belly gets its own espresso-inflected rub and the brisket comes with a fatty top layer that basically dissolves in your mouth.
Located at Pier 66 in Chelsea, the Frying Pan is quite literally a bar on a docked boat. The boat is a historic 1929 lightship, and the outdoor bar juts far out into the pier thanks to a long barge. A center bar and grill serves up beer and bar bites like Pat LaFrieda sirloin burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, and garlic fries. There's a dance floor at the end of the barge, which gets more and more crowded as the sun sets on happy hour.
Since 1985, French-trained chef Alfred Portale has helmed the kitchen at this iconic Greenwich Village eatery. Gotham serves Michelin-rated American eats in a trendy and palatial space, defined by its relaxed sense of elegance -- black-framed windows, a granite bar, soft lighting. The 12th st. staple serves expertly prepared dishes like steak frites, tartare, and foie gras, each presented with a careful attention to detail, while the sommeliers' personalized recommendations off the house-curated wine list ensure the perfect pairing. For those mainly looking to drink, there is a full menu of house-cocktails available, while the most indulgent of the liquor options comes in the form of Gotham's famous dark chocolate bonbons, hand-made by the kitchen's very own chocolatiers, and filled with rosé champagne.
This upscale, Michelin-starred restaurant from the mind behind Union Square Cafe, Blue Smoke, and Shake Shack revives the classic American tavern with sophisticated (and affordable) entrees, such as shrimp and squash stew, jerk chicken, and a chocolate peanut butter pie for two. But more popular than GT's entrees, wine list, and refined cocktails is its off-menu Tavern Burger, which is expertly made with a specially sourced blended patty (50% chuck, 25% brisket, 25% short rib), and blanketed in melted cheddar with smoky bacon strips on a house-baked bun.
Grand Central's landmark Oyster Bar has been around since 1913 and, despite losing business due to the decline of long-haul train travel, its reinvention around the mid-'70s revived it into what's now an award-winning American restaurant serving super-fresh, top-quality seafood. It also has an extensive wine list.
Look no further for great Italian in NYC. Il Mulino's Greenwich Village location has been regarded as the best Italian spot for over two decades for its service, generous portions, and wine selection.
There are plenty of fine dining opportunities in New York City, but none of them can compare to Jean-Georges. Since its opening to critical acclaim in 1997, Jean-Georges has been known for its beautifully crafted dishes that blend French, American, and Asian cultural influences. The menu here changes seasonally and is created with locally sourced ingredients to ensure that every visitor can enjoy a truly exceptional meal.
One of New York's most classic burgers can be found at this prepster pub that's been serving the Upper East Side since 1972. The hallmark of J.G. Melon is the hamburger, comprised of a griddled beef patty and American cheese on a toasted potato bun. If you aren't a regular who lives within a five-block radius, the bar burger really is the only reason to go to J.G. Melon, whose melon decor and green-checkered tablecloths haven't changed much since it first opened.
Joe's Pizza is the epitome of an NYC slice joint. The West Village original has been doling out perfectly simple slices of New York and Sicilian-style pies since 1975. The process is simple: wait in line, pay for a slice, fold it in half, and eat it while standing.
Open since 1888 on the corner of East Houston and Ludlow Street, Katz's is synonymous with iconic New York City food, specifically, slow-cured pastrami and corned beef. There's usually a line filled with a mix of tourists, die-hard New Yorkers, and everyone in between, and the wait is nothing but proof of the stacked sandwiches' pure goodness. You receive a paper ticket when you walk in, order at the counter (be ready!), and wait while the servers sling layers of pink meat onto cafeteria trays. If pastrami on rye (or better yet, a hot reuben) is your kind of late-night food, then you're in luck -- Katz's is open all night on Fridays and Saturdays. Words to the wise: stock up on napkins, order a generous side of pickles, and whatever you do, don't lose your ticket.
Keens was the gentlemen-only meeting place for all sorts of playwrights, publishers, producers, and newsmen of the Herald Square Theatre District back in the day... which was 1885, by the way. Today, the legendary steakhouse maintains its reputation and continues to deliver quality eats in an old-timey atmosphere, and women are now allowed in (!!). Wondering what to order? Try the mutton chops, word is you won't regret it.
Far out in Bensonhurst is this iconic Italian restaurant that serves the epitome of what a Sicilian pizza should be. L&B Spumoni Gardens serves a full menu of classic Italian pastas and meat entrees, but you're really there for the plump, doughy squares of pizza topped with tart tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella. You can order by the slice or by the tray, and if the weather's nice, definitely snag a seat outside at the red picnic tables.
The outstanding tacos -- served individually -- are the real deal at this perpetually popular outpost on Kenmare. Below the taqueria is a not-so-secret secret subterranean dining room, where you can snag margaritas, queso fundido, chile relleno, and carne asada with chimichurri in a decidedly sexier environment. Search for the door with the "Employees Only" sign behind the bouncer inside.
Le Bernardin is the Meryl Streep of the New York restaurant scene. It has all the necessary accolades for being the best (three Michelin stars, seven James Beard awards), and other restaurants don’t even try to compete with it. Chef Eric Ripert has mastered the art of seafood in the form of a caviar-heavy prix fixe menu that tastes best with the optional wine pairing. Add white tablecloths and five-star service, and you’ve got a once-in-a-lifetime dinner.
If pizza is an essential fixture in New York's culinary history, then Lombardi's is an essential fixture in the grander history of pizza as a whole. Established in 1905, the place is cited as the first American Pizzeria, aptly stationed for the past full century on Manhattan soil (or pavement, I should say). Still located in Little Italy, the iconic red-brick pizza joint has checkered plastic tablecloths, a smoking coal oven, and a white-tiled open kitchen. The menu offers a handful of traditional sides -- meatballs, calzones, Caesar salad -- but you'd be remiss to walk away from Lombardi's sans pizza-related food coma. The pies are smoky-crusted and coal fired, topped with house-made san Marzano tomato sauce, basil and fresh mozzarella, and served on rotating, silver pizza platters with toppings like ricotta, black-pepper garlic sauce, pancetta, and sweet Italian sausage (we recommend you go half and half on the toppings). And while nowadays, the place certainly caters to its fair share of tourists, it has yet to lose its sense of old-school New York character.
Opened in 1854, McSorley’s is the oldest still-running saloon in NYC, and was one of the last “Men Only” pubs in NY (until 1970). When you visit, you’ll truly feel like you’ve stepped into a bit of city history -- after all, you'll be sitting at the very same counter Abe Lincoln and John Lennon did. McSorley’s also keeps it real with just two beers -- the house ale, light or dark, and nothing else.
In the heart of Greenwich Village, Minetta Tavern boasts a classic oak bar, vintage photos on the walls, and supremely delicious burgers (amongst other menu items). Its Black Label Burger has quite the reputation -- it's an 8oz blend of Pat LaFrieda prime dry-aged beef, cooked until there's a nice, light crust on top, then dressed with caramelized onions on a custom brioche bun.
While the art decor is definitely one of highlights of The Modern’s glass-lined dining room, the best part has to be its by-the-dish menu. With 21 items to choose from (and all but one under $30), Modern’s menu offers an affordable meal in the midst of decor even Mark Cuban couldn’t afford.
Momofuku has the OG pork bun that spurred a million copycats, and it’s surprisingly simple: steamed bao, roasted belly, cucumbers, and scallions. By now, most people are familiar with David Chang's culinary empire. The chef's Midas touch has blessed diners with a slew of Momofuku-associated venues offering cocktails, pastries, and fine-dining -- but above all is his ramen. Chang worked in Japanese shops way back in the early aughts before jump-starting the NYC ramen craze in 2004, and the varieties here are loaded with pork belly and pork shoulder, smoked chicken, and veggie options with chickpea and kale.
This Chelsea hot spot for sushi and Asian cuisine is pricy, but the elegant atmosphere and mouth-watering dishes are worth it.
From master chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Robert De Niro, this original location of Nobu opened in the 90s when Tribeca was still a burgeoning neighborhood and not yet the playground of well-bred preschoolers and Taylor Swift. Nobu has been an A-List restaurant from the start, serving Matsuhisa's signature Japanese fusion dishes like black cod miso and yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño. The David Rockwell-designed space has a ritzy zen-like feel with birch wood accents and a wall made of river stones.
Located in the heart of Chinatown, Nom Wah has been around in some form since 1920. It's been a bakery, kitchen, and now it's a dim sum specialist and tea house. Today, it still maintains its vintage looks and if you want to taste their claim to fame, order the fried sesame balls with lotus paste and the almond cookie.
While many other bars are trying to create it, old-school New York charm comes naturally to this institution, which has been slinging drinks since 1882 (then known as Viemeister’s). The charm, however, is not the only anachronism that makes it so popular: Old Town also boasts a mahogany bar, distressed mirrors, a dumbwaiter, and high, tin ceilings.
A New York institution, P.J. Clarke's has delivered on the fancy cheeseburger promise since 1884. And while Midtown in the new millennia no longer projects late-20th century old money glam, the venue continues to maintain a setting of demure class. Come for the bacon cheeseburgers, stay for the exemplary cocktails.
Located in the West Village, this charming seafoodery is loaded with chilled seafood, small plates, and large plates, all featuring fresh ocean fare, from lobster to shrimp and, of course, oysters.
Per Se, looming over Columbus Circle since 2004, has grown to become synonymous with haute French-American fine dining. It’s all one would expect from Chef Thomas Keller, the man responsible for internationally lauded French Laundry —widely considered to be America’s best restaurant. In the most formal of dining rooms, a straight-laced and buttoned-up staff serve refined and extravagantly plated (and priced) nine-course contemporary tasting menus that entice the eye as much as the palate. No single dish has elicited more gasps of delight than his signature starter: warm oysters and a scoop of caviar in a savory tapioca pudding. In the time since its peak, critical applause has wained somewhat, but Per Se remains emblematic of haute, and costly, dining in the city, nonetheless.
This New York institution (opened in 1887) is specifically known for its old-school, impeccable waitstaff and its sizzling, perfectly cooked, buttery porterhouse. The wine list sticks to a strict but to-the-point number of options that pair perfectly with the dishes, and the lunchtime hamburger -- a mix of ground chuck and trimmings from the aged steaks -- is simply something you can't get anywhere else.
Warning: you're going to be a bit cramped. Prune's turned into one of the most influential restaurants with food like Spatchcocked Pigeon and Roasted Marrow Bones. Don't miss brunch here either because the Bloody Marys rock. From classic to Chicago Matchbox, they've got every flavor you've ever wanted.
If you’d never been to an old school-style steakhouse before you stepped into Raoul’s, you’d know -- from the moment you crossed the threshold from Prince St. to the bistro’s bohemian, time capsule of an interior -- that this is what it’s supposed to feel like. This is what it’s supposed to look like, sound like, and taste like. This is the real, live version of that place in your parents’ favorite movies. From front dining room to bar to covered atrium behind the kitchen, a night at Raoul’s, no matter where you sit, is an experience in French dining from decades past and as it was meant to be. It’s a New York institution that has remained unchanged since the 70s, because Raoul’s is perfect just the way it is… especially that steak au poivre.
For an all-inclusive beer experience, head to midtown's Rattle N Hum, where beer flights, 40+ rotating beers on tap, and specialty bottles will satisfy any and all beer lovers. Foodwise, the menu of bar bites like lobster mac ‘n cheese, baby lamb sliders, and IPA French fries will soak up all of that alcohol-induced hunger.
The on-the-waterfront American-style cafe has got great grub, as well as some seriously unique libations.
Don’t be dissuaded by the gritty, graffiti-splattered cinder-block facade, Roberta’s is among New York’s most celebrated pizzerias, having made an international footprint (sauce print?) with visiting Europeans and local Bushwick loft-dwellers alike who endure long waits on nights and weekends for a table. Inside the red front door, you'll find a warm dining room and open kitchen where blistering discs of dough are pulled out of an Italian-made wood-burning oven and given names like Speckenwolf (mozzarella, crispy speck, cremini mushroom, red onion, oregano) and Millennium Falco (parmesan, pork sausage, red onion). The final product is Neapolitan-like in taste and structure, and since you probably won't have any leftovers, do yourself one last favor and buy a loaf of bread from the on-site bakery on your way out.
Open since 1914, Russ & Daughters is the NYC standard for cured fish, spreads, and other “appetizers,” which are the traditional Jewish food eaten with bagels. This piece of New York history (which, in 2014, opened a more formal cafe that is also located in the Lower East Side) is still the place to grab a bagel and schmear or one of its near-perfect deli counter sandwiches, like the Super Heebster, a mammoth bagel sandwich with Whitefish & baked salmon salad, horseradish-dill cream cheese, and wasabi flying fish roe.
Long before Shake Shack was an international chain with outposts as far as Dubai, it was a hot dog stand in Madison Square Park. The original location is still in the park, but instead of a roaming cart, it's a large kiosk surrounded by a sea of outdoor tables. There are two lines, an express one reserved for cold orders (that would be the frozen custard and concretes -- get them, they're good) and a regular one for everything else, which includes the signature ShackBurgers, crinkle-cut fries, and flat-top hot dogs.
April Bloomfield's West Village restaurant and bar is a fan-favorite among celebrities, lifetime New Yorkers, and tourists, known for its bucket list-worthy chargrilled roquefort burger with shoestring fries. The British-meets-Italian gastropub famously doesn't take reservations, but it's also open until 2am nightly, so if you can't get a table during peak dinner hours, then a late-night seat at the bar is your best bet -- and probably the most quintessential New York experience.
There's nothing quite like getting up bright and early to toss back a couple of brews at 8am. OK, so eggs and coffee may be the more sensible route, but at least you know you have the option over at Spring Lounge. This Nolita dive has a diverse crowd, a great beer selection, and free beer-braised hot dogs on Wednesdays. The bar was opened illegally in the 1920s as a "to-go" shop and has gone through several transformations since. It became Spring Lounge in the '70s, but is referred to as Shark Bar throughout the neighborhood.
A relic of Red Hook's pre-gentrification, working class days lives on in Sunny’s bar, even if beloved proprietor Antonio Balzano, aka Sunny, died in 2016. His family has owned and operated the dark hole-in-the-wall by the river since the late 1890s, when it was one of many bars and restaurants that catered to ship builders who worked nearby. The cash-only dive now draws a mix of neighborhood locals and migrating “authenticity seekers” for cheap beer and cover-free live music.
Masatoshi "Gari" Sugio is legendary in NYC for dishing out one-of-kind sushi and meals like tuna with tofu cream and foie gras sushi. He's opened multiple locations throughout the city over the years, but the original Upper East Side still reigns supreme.
Founded by the self-proclaimed "queen of soul-food," Sylvia's has been has been serving up Southern delicacies since 1962. At this Harlem staple, all-white-meat fried chicken is served alongside either eggs or grits, and for breakfast, the Southern-style chicken can come piled atop hotcakes, fresh off the griddle. The baked ham and the mac & cheese are equally worthy of note, and the full service bar at the helm of the casual, unpretentious eatery, will help you wash it all down. But for a truly enlightening experience, stop by for Sunday Gospel Brunch, where steak & eggs come with Bloody Marys and Hail Marys, courtesy of live gospel musicians -- a gentle reminder that food, itself, is something of a religious experience (even while you consume a sinful number of hot butter-drenched waffles).
After 30 years on 16th street, Danny Meyer's trailblazing Union Square Cafe found a new home a few blocks up in late 2016. The five-time James Beard Award winner still serves American-Italian dishes, but with updated elements. The larger space and expanded staff allows the restaurant to bake its bread in-house for the first time, and former specials like braised lamb shank with salsa verde have found a permanent place on the new menu (but old favorites like gnocchi and pan-roasted chicken are still there). The Park Ave South space looks and feels like the cafe you know and love: the David Rockwell-designed dining room captures a modern yet nostalgic country-kitchen aesthetic that makes diners feel as if they never left.
Vazacs Horseshoe Bar, also known as 7B, is an East Village staple with a star-studded history. The arched castle-like doors and rough brick exterior served as the façade of the Life Café in the movie Rent, and the interiors were used for The Godfather, Part II and Marvel's Jessica Jones. To East Village/Alphabet City locals, it's known as the perfect dive to meet your friends and throw back some cheap beers.